Core Viewpoint - Morningstar, Inc. has declared a quarterly dividend of 50 cents per share, maintaining the same dividend amount as in January 2026, with payment scheduled for April 30, 2026, to shareholders of record as of April 3, 2026 [1] Company Overview - Morningstar, Inc. is a prominent provider of independent investment insights across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, offering a wide range of products and services for various investors and financial professionals [1] - The company manages approximately $378 billion in assets under management (AUMA) as of December 31, 2025, and operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries in 32 countries [1] Recent Developments - Morningstar Credit Analytics has launched new credit models and a 'Bring Your Own Loan' analysis [2] - The company has announced the agenda for its 38th annual Morningstar Investment Conference, scheduled for June 17-18, 2026, at Navy Pier in Chicago, focusing on current investment challenges and strategies [2] - Morningstar has introduced an AI assistant integrated into its Direct Advisory Suite, enhancing its advisor platform [2]

Core Viewpoint - Nu Holdings Ltd. is recognized as one of the best stocks under $20 to buy according to hedge funds, with mixed analyst ratings following its recent financial results [1][6]. Financial Performance - In Q4 2025, Nu Holdings added 4 million customers, bringing the total to 17 million for the full year, and reached 131 million customers globally by the end of December 2025, marking a 15% year-over-year increase [2]. Analyst Ratings - UBS analyst Thiago Batista reduced the price target for Nu Holdings from $18.40 to $17.20 while maintaining a Neutral rating [1]. - Conversely, Morgan Stanley raised its price target from $18 to $21 and kept an Overweight rating, emphasizing the company's long-term growth potential and raising its EPS forecast [3].

Fintech startup Ramp is looking to crack open the European market with the acquisition of UK and Swedish-based payments platform Billhop. Ramp CEO Eric Glyman discusses the deal with Ed Ludlow on “Bloomberg Tech.” -------- Like this video? Subscribe to Bloomberg Technology on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrM7B7SL_g1edFOnmj-SDKg Watch the latest full episodes of "Bloomberg Technology" with Caroline Hyde and Ed Ludlow here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfAX25ZLrPGTygCwn55voYZ_LYyKjxokJ ...

Core Insights - IDT Corporation reported a revenue increase of 5.7% year-over-year for Q2 fiscal 2026, reaching $320.5 million, with GAAP EPS rising 5% to $0.84 and non-GAAP EPS increasing 19% to $1.00 [2][8] Financial Performance - Revenues for the second quarter were $320.5 million, up from $303.3 million a year ago [2] - GAAP EPS rose to $0.84 from $0.80, while non-GAAP EPS increased to $1.00 from $0.84 [2] - Gross profit increased 8.2% to $121.3 million, with gross margin improving to 37.8% from 37% [2] - Adjusted EBITDA rose 9% to $38 million from $34.9 million [2] Segment Performance - National Retail Solutions (NRS) generated revenues of $39.4 million, up 19% from $33 million [3] - Fintech segment revenues reached $41.2 million, a 12% increase from $36.8 million [3] - net2phone posted revenues of $23.9 million, rising 11% from $21.5 million [3] - Traditional Communications segment revenues increased 2% to $216.1 million, but profitability declined [3][7] Operational Metrics - NRS active POS terminals increased 12% to 38,900, and payment processing accounts rose 18% to 28,100 [4] - Total recurring revenue climbed 18% to $37.5 million, driven by a 32% increase in merchant services revenue [4] - In the Fintech segment, BOSS Money transactions increased 13% to 6.4 million [5] - net2phone's subscription revenue rose 12%, with total revenue increasing 11% to $23.9 million [6] Management Commentary - Management highlighted the growth in higher-margin segments (NRS, Fintech, net2phone), which accounted for 53% of consolidated adjusted EBITDA [8] - A new federal remittance tax has accelerated the shift from retail to digital channels in Fintech, impacting revenue per transaction but improving margins [9][10] - Management noted that lower advertising CPM rates affected advertising revenue in NRS [11] Guidance and Capital Allocation - IDT raised its fiscal 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to $147 million to $149 million, reflecting stronger-than-expected performance [12] - The company repurchased approximately 149,000 shares for $7.4 million and increased the annual dividend by 17% to $0.28 per share [13] Cash Position and Developments - IDT ended the quarter with $246.2 million in cash and equivalents, reporting no outstanding debt [14] - Operating cash flow improved significantly, with net cash from operating activities rising to $38.3 million from $20.2 million [14] - net2phone launched AI-powered communications solutions for healthcare and hospitality sectors [15]

Core Viewpoint - Upstart Holdings, Inc. is pursuing a national bank charter to transform into a federally regulated depository institution, aiming to enhance its business model and profitability through direct control over funding sources [1][2]. Group 1: Strategic Move - The application for a bank charter represents a significant strategic decision that could redefine Upstart's future and create a more dominant long-term business model [1]. - This move is seen as a proactive step rather than a reaction to market pressures, indicating a deliberate plan to build a more resilient enterprise [1][2]. Group 2: De-Risking the Business - Upstart's current asset-light model relies on third-party capital, which can be unpredictable, especially during economic downturns [1]. - The company has been diversifying its funding sources, including issuing $292 million in asset-backed securities and establishing a $200 million forward-flow agreement for auto loans [1]. Group 3: Profitability Enhancement - The bank charter is expected to unlock financial advantages, particularly through access to low-cost, FDIC-insured consumer deposits, which can significantly lower Upstart's cost of capital [1]. - A lower cost of funds can lead to substantial margin expansion; for example, funding a loan at 2% instead of 6% could increase profitability by 80% on that loan [1]. Group 4: Competitive Advantage - A stable deposit base allows Upstart to maintain operations during economic downturns, providing a consistent revenue stream and the opportunity to capture market share from competitors [1]. - The transition to a bank charter is viewed as a logical step, supported by successful precedents from other fintech companies like SoFi Technologies [1][2]. Group 5: Regulatory Considerations - While the transition entails increased regulatory oversight and compliance costs, these are seen as strategic investments in long-term stability and credibility [1]. - Upstart's technological capabilities may allow it to manage regulatory requirements more efficiently than traditional institutions, mitigating compliance costs [1].

SEZL has gained approximately 5.19% over the past month, showcasing positive investor sentiment.The stock presents a potential upside of 30.19% with analysts setting a target price of $85.SEZL's strong financial health is indicated by a robust Piotroski Score of 8.SEZL is a stock that has recently caught the attention of investors due to its promising performance and growth potential. Over the past month, SEZL has gained approximately 5.19%, reflecting positive investor sentiment. However, the stock has exp ...

Core Viewpoint - PSQ Holdings, Inc. will release its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results on March 17, 2026, and will host a teleconference to discuss these results [1]. Group 1: Financial Results Announcement - The company will issue a news release containing the fourth quarter and year-end 2025 results before the U.S. stock market opens on March 17, 2026 [1]. - A teleconference and webcast will begin at 9:00 a.m. ET on the same day, allowing for inbound questions from analysts and shareholders [1]. Group 2: Company Overview - PSQ Holdings operates in the payments and financial infrastructure sector, focusing on providing compliant payment solutions for businesses, campaigns, and nonprofits that are underserved by traditional financial institutions [1]. Group 3: Compliance Notice - On February 10, 2026, PSQ Holdings received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange regarding non-compliance with listing standards, specifically related to market capitalization and stockholder equity [1].

Core Insights - Better Home & Finance Holding Company reported strong financial results for Q4 2025, exceeding prior guidance on funded loan volume and establishing an optimistic outlook for Q1 2026 [1][2] Financial Performance - Funded Loan Volume reached $646 million in Q4 2025, up 34% quarter-over-quarter and exceeding the guidance of $600 million [1] - Year-over-year Funded Loan Volume growth was 56%, significantly outpacing the industry growth of 4%, while revenue grew by 77% year-over-year [1] - The company reported a net loss of approximately $40 million, an improvement of 33% compared to a loss of $59 million in Q4 2024 [1][3] - Adjusted EBITDA loss was $24 million, showing a 14% improvement year-over-year [1] Key Metrics - Warehouse financing capacity totaled $575 million as of December 31, 2025 [1] - The company maintained a strong liquidity position with approximately $229 million in cash and short-term investments [1] - D2C Funded Loan Volume comprised 56% of total funded loan volume, while Tinman AI Platform Funded Loan Volume accounted for 44% [1] Strategic Partnerships - The partnership with Intuit Credit Karma launched in Q4 2025, generating over 30,000 mortgage pre-approvals within five months [1] - The integration with ChatGPT is expected to open new distribution channels for the Tinman AI platform [1][2] Future Guidance - The company reaffirmed its goal to reach Adjusted EBITDA breakeven by the end of Q3 2026 and projected $1.0 billion in monthly loan volume by the end of May 2026 [1][2]

Industry Overview - Stablecoins have become a $300 billion industry in the past 12 months, with potential growth to $3 trillion by 2030 according to U.S. Treasury officials [1] - 50% of U.S. consumers are open to using stablecoins for purchases, with higher acceptance among Gen Z (71%) and young millennials (60%) [1] Investment Opportunities - Direct investment in stablecoin issuers is a primary method to gain exposure to the stablecoin market [4] - Circle Internet Group, the issuer of USDC, has a market cap of $78.5 billion and is a notable investment option [5] - PayPal has launched its own stablecoin, PayPal USD, which has a market cap of about $4 billion, ranking among the top 25 cryptocurrencies [8] - Klarna has introduced KlarnaUSD, which could be an attractive investment due to its growing "Buy Now, Pay Later" model [9] Blockchain Investments - Investing in blockchains that support stablecoin adoption, such as Ethereum, Tron, and Solana, is another approach [10] - Ethereum is highlighted for its leadership in decentralized finance (DeFi) and potential for earning yield on stablecoin deposits [12] - New blockchains specifically designed for stablecoins, like Arc, are emerging, although they currently lack a dedicated crypto token [13] Companies Supporting Stablecoin Adoption - Companies like Coinbase Global and Robinhood Markets are integrating stablecoins into their business models [15] - Coinbase has partnered with Shopify to enhance USDC functionality for shop owners, promoting consumer adoption of stablecoins [16] - Research indicates consumers are willing to use stablecoins to reduce processing fees associated with debit or credit cards [17] Top Investment Pick - Circle is identified as a top investment pick due to its focused business model on stablecoins, with a stock increase of 44% since its IPO in June 2025 [18]

Goeasy - Goeasy shares fell by $65.90 or 57% to $49.65 on the Toronto Stock Exchange due to an expected $178 million charge for bad loans related to its LendCare business in Q4, along with a writedown of approximately $55 million for loan interest and fees [1] - The company anticipates a net increase in allowance for credit losses on gross consumer loans receivable of $86 million in Q4 compared to the amount reported on September 30 [1][2] Algoma Steel - Algoma Steel reported a net loss of $364.7 million in Q4, widening from a net loss of $66.5 million in the same period last year, resulting in a net loss per common share of $3.36 compared to a loss of 61 cents [4][6] - Consolidated revenue for Algoma Steel was $455 million in Q4, down from $590.3 million year-over-year, with shipments falling 31% to 378,533 tons from 548,802 tons [5][6] - The company incurred direct tariff costs of $60.6 million in Q4 and received $500 million in financing from federal and Ontario governments to address the impact of U.S. steel tariffs [5] Transat A.T. Inc. - Transat A.T. Inc. reported a loss of $29.5 million in its latest quarter, an improvement from a loss of $122.5 million a year earlier, with a loss of 73 cents per diluted share compared to a loss of $3.10 per diluted share last year [9][12] - Revenue for Transat increased by 5% to $870.7 million from $829.5 million a year earlier, with an adjusted loss of $1.18 per share compared to an adjusted loss of $1.90 per share in the previous year [10][12] Royal Bank of Canada - Royal Bank of Canada has acquired fintech company Pinch Financial, which simplifies the mortgage application process, although terms of the agreement were not disclosed [15] - The acquisition aims to enhance the mortgage experience for borrowers by accelerating RBC's digital roadmap for a quicker and more streamlined process [16]